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Jeff Anderson

Jeff Anderson

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Hey Chicago users

I'm going to be up in early december for a Steadicam workshop at Calumet Photo here - http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q...TF-8&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=image

and am planning on staying here -http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=720%20N%20La%20Salle%20Dr%2C%20Chicago%2C%20IL%2060654&um=1&ie=UTF-8&resnum=1&sa=N&tab=wl

I've only spent a little time in chicago and am not all that familiar with the area. Walking between these two places looks easy according to google, but is this safe? The latest I would be out is 7PM and the earliest 7AM. I havent booked anything yet except for the Steadicam class, so if you'ev got better ideas let me know.

Also looks like an easy jaunt down from ohare via subway and bus which I have done before, but just wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything huge.

Thanks guys!

Jeff Anderson
 
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Did you buy a Steadicam, Jeff? I took a Steadicam workshop in Rockport, Maine back in '02. I don't own one but a company I freelance for does. They paid for my training.
 
Not yet - looking at getting a pilot but want to see what I'm getting into before making the plunge. I figure it wouldnt hurt to know how to use the darned thing anyways :)
 
That seems North enough. You should be fine. I've done a ton of walking around Chicago at night (in areas much farther South than that and haven't had any problems.) I've done a lot of shooting at Illinois Institute of Technology. That's not exactly a great neighborhood. I heard a ton of fireworks one night... or at least that's what I told myself I was hearing.:huh:
 
that's just a tad west of the goldcoast west area, which should probably be avoided if you're not familiar with it. You're in an alright area. Gimme a jingle of you get lost (pm me for number). Chicago is less like Minneapolis in that there are more like 'pockets' to avoid than whole areas. You should be fine though, unless you plan on wearing a halter top and walking around at 2 in the morning, as I know you're apt to do.
 
Hans are you talking about IIT or Calumet being just west of Goldcoast?

I promised my wife I wouldnt do any hooking while I was away, so no worries. Wont be stomping on your milkshaking territory Hans :)
 
oh ok cool - thanks!

- doh just realized my post just has the calumet location twice - how about staying here -http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=720%20N%20La%20Salle%20Dr%2C%20Chicago%2C%20IL%2060654&um=1&ie=UTF-8&resnum=1&sa=N&tab=wl

Looks like its probably in the GC area huh? Look elsewhere? Nothing booked yet. Was hoping to get walking distance from Calumet, but its not a necessity.
 
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Jeff Anderson said:
Hans are you talking about IIT or Calumet being just west of Goldcoast?
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What's up J. I called Calumet and told them a friend was coming from out of town and wanted to know about the area. Calumet Photo is about a mile from the loop in an industrial park. If I were you'd I'd take the camera (at least a small one) and maybe do some location scouting too.

Jeff Anderson said:
oh ok cool - thanks!

- doh just realized my post just has the calumet location twice - how about staying here -http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=720%20N%20La%20Salle%20Dr%2C%20Chicago%2C%20IL%2060654&um=1&ie=UTF-8&resnum=1&sa=N&tab=wl

Looks like its probably in the GC area huh? Look elsewhere? Nothing booked yet. Was hoping to get walking distance from Calumet, but its not a necessity.
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Dude, that's just north of the loop. (Since you're not from Chi I won't crack on you). My question is do you have the cash for that but I assume you booked on one of those travel sites. There's no hotels in walking distance, you'll have to rely on the buses and trains (at least you should).

Hans Moleman said:
Chicago is less like Minneapolis in that there are more like 'pockets' to avoid than whole areas. You should be fine though, unless you plan on wearing a halter top and walking around at 2 in the morning, as I know you're apt to do.
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Break it down to 'em Hans. A guy calling himself "MarquettePark" says it all in his post here: http://www.city-data.com/forum/chicago/15440-what-bad-sections-chicago.html it may sound like generalizations but a lot of it is true. Also the Sox play over here and when they won the World Series suddenly the Southside was safe for all). There are pockets of crime and the next street over are middle class neighborhoods. Some places in Lincoln Park and Wickerpark/Bucktown/Logan Square (all well known and loved neighborhoods) are like this too. Hyde Park is like a Northside neighborhood but since it's South it's the best kept secret.

The deal was the Southside had (and has) problem areas. 51st street is a problem area - Period - don't go there, as well as some other places. Clark and Division is north but it's a club district and pretty safe but still at one time was known for stick ups and such because of the proximity to Cabrini Green - which ironically never stopped anyone from going. (BTW - If anyone ever wants to get a grimy exterior but be relatively safe Clark and Division or Clark and Belmont is where you shoot).

When people originally said the Southside was bad it was because it was a "black" area but in truth many white people lived (and live) on the Southside. De LaSalle High school (where I went for summer school) used to be the dividing line. This separated the black thugs from the white thugs. The white thugs stayed up in a little neighborhood called "Bridgeport". The current Mayor's father and family stayed there. The current mayor (whose white) moved from his hood to ours because it was too dangerous for his family, LOL. Plus the place had a bad reputation for being racist and much of his base are - take a guess - black. Today Bridgeport has a high population of Hispanics - and has become a better place as the older white (think violently racist) population moved out as well as the younger hoodlums. (People who weren't white enough were ran out of that neighborhood. Keep in mind I'm old enough to remember this and it wasn't in the 1960s, try the late 1980's).

Bronzeville (the opposite side of the fence) incorporates ITT (as mentioned), Dumbar Highschool and Lakemeadows and other well known places. The big problem in BV was/is drugs. The good thing about having a camera crew is no body wants to be on camera when their pushing drugs and since the police department moved directly into the fray and there's high powered cop camera's every few blocks. Also the public housing projects are gone and with it so is a lot of the violent crime. Safety is increasing, the middle class black neighborhoods are integrating (young white people moving into "the hood" and being amazingly unafraid). Condos are being built here and inexpensive housing and public transportation are abundant. (You don't really need a car if you're south). The area lacks culture though. No big bookstores, comic shops, decent nightlife, art shops etc. Lake Meadows is the big shopping center and has been for about thirty years or so (since I was in grammar school).

And the only people wearing halter tops and walking around at 2 in the morning are on Clark and Division or Clark and Belmont. LOL. Either way you should be safe enough.

Jeff Anderson said:
I promised my wife I wouldnt do any hooking while I was away, so no worries. Wont be stomping on your milkshaking territory Hans :)
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And I think we're ALL better off for this promise. :)

-Nate
 
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Nathyn thanks so much for the info on Chicago. Yeah thats a HoJo at that address. Its the only cheap thing close to Calumet. Pics and reviews dont look too bad, not 4 star by any means either. Its got beds and walls and locks though. Thats all I want :)

Thanks for the summary of some of the problem areas and the link to MarquettePark's post. Just havent really been in Chicago except for a 1 day trip with some friends that knew the area well.

So it looks like I'm not going to be in the middle of some terrible area though, thats all I'm really worried about. Thanks for the help everyone. Much appreciated!
 
You should be fine. Have fun dude. This thing's in December right? I might drop in myself. Eric and the guys are cool over there. I saw them at the Chicago Black Harvest Film Fest and HD Expo. Just some general stuff, always have your travel routes and stuff planned so you're not standing around looking unsure. While things may be safe criminals do prey on tourist.

-Nate
 
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Right, good tips on not looking like a tourist. Fortunately I've travelled a good bit and am all about figuring out where I'm going before get there. Its december 5-6 if you want to pop in.
 
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